Diagnostic Utility of N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Identifying Atrial Fibrillation Post-Cryptogenic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF) significantly contributes to acute ischemic stroke, with undetected AF being a common culprit in cryptogenic strokes. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), indicative of myocardial stress, has been proposed as a biomarker for AF detection, aiding in the selection of patients for extended cardiac monitoring. However, the diagnostic accuracy of NT-proBNP remains uncertain.

METHODS

We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of NT-proBNP in detecting AF among cryptogenic stroke patients. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases to identify relevant studies. Studies reporting NT-proBNP levels in stroke patients and data on the proportion of patients with AF above a specified cut-off were included. Meta-analyses were performed using the midas command in STATA.

RESULTS

Seven studies encompassing 2171 patients were included in the analysis, of which five studies contained cohorts with cryptogenic strokes. Among patients with cryptogenic stroke, NT-proBNP demonstrated a diagnostic accuracy of 80% (Area Under the Receiver Operating Curve 0.80 [95% CI 0.76-0.83]), with a sensitivity of 81% (95% CI 0.68-0.89) and a specificity of 68% (95% CI 0.60-0.75).

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis indicates that NT-proBNP exhibits a good-to-very-good diagnostic accuracy for detecting AF in patients with cryptogenic stroke. These findings suggest potential implications for utilizing NT-proBNP in guiding the selection of patients for prolonged cardiac monitoring, thereby aiding in the management of cryptogenic stroke cases.